Somaliland: Invasion of Aqil’s Influence into Party Politics
The behavior of Somaliland’s political parties has led to the development of contentious issues that usually disrupt social cohesion.
Somaliland is approaching local council and parliamentary elections. Mohamed I. Egal, a seasoned politician, has sought to find a solution to the long-running political-clan crisis in Somaliland, and the long-standing feud, and in-fighting during the SNM’s war against the government of late Mohamed Siad Barre. He created a multi-party system to get rid of the tribal calculations of power sharing, so that different people of different clan affiliations can support and join freely the party of their choice to elect city council representing their respective constituencies and the national elected body (parliament) that represents Somaliland as a whole.
This did not prevent the practice of the people chanting tribal names, but, on the contrary, solidified the basis for the unity of “TOL”. Anyone who does not follow the clan Chiefs is rejected by his tribe, discredited, and is described as a weak man unless you have a big, deep pocket. As a result, the conduct of Somaliland’s political parties has led to the development of hostility even of those who are of the same clan.
It so happened that smaller clans were not accepted by some of the major political parties this year to bring their chosen candidates to run in the party, while other candidates were jailed for pure tribal reasons, like why did you run for another party knowing that our “Reer” belongs to this other party? This is a disaster for the democratization process aiming to achieve the aspirations of the people. Hence, Somaliland has become increasingly fragmented by the day as the meager resources are not enough for distribution. Thus, paving the way, a system which helps elites with cash to maintain at least some support from their clan elders.
Any way, a tribal system is propelling the country. When people feel that the state is unable to protect people’s rights and property, of course they will look to their tribes for leadership, fueling the tribal feuds and leaving the country unprepared to handle many difficult situations, and then the government turns to mobilize Sultans and Aqils for traditional arbitration. A good example is Ceel-Afweyne gate not that long ago in which the efforts have been spearheaded by the Sultans and peace-loving people of Somaliland to settle the differences of the warring clans. Tribal leaders often have more say in the everyday lives of average people than government officials. And they are able to maintain this power in part because they are often themselves government representatives and/or religious leaders.
The tribal system has been politicized and the tribes no longer cooperate with each other. Despite rampant corruption, tribesmen are generally fiercely loyal to their leaders, making it worthwhile for governments to pay tribal leaders to ensure popular support. But this loyalty also makes people vulnerable to manipulation. Although, some of the tribal leaders try to keep their communities ignorant to rule them and use them as they like.
These crimes are repugnant to human decency and generally to minority clans in Somaliland particularly the Gabooye, Madigan and the like. Watch the video below, where the last-minute acceptance of the Madigan by UCID party in Gabiley, praised Faisal Ali Waraabe, the party chairman, earned a thank you from the crowd cheering for the candidates. That was really nice of him to accept them as a gesture that UCID is an all-inclusive party.
The straight-laced clan Aqils are still having the final say in the political spheres of this region where the needy (have-nots) are struggling to fight empty stomach, and the entrepreneurs with low spirits are sucking their blood like leeches in the asses of cows in the dead of winter where there is no drop of rain. Bearded men with big bulging bellies are knocking on people’s doors for prayers in the early hours, as I had witnessed, while starving kids are crying incessantly at night in the neighborhood of the mosque for having nothing to bite and no sip of milk. Ghost stories can be very scary, but there is nothing as shocking quite as a baby crying in an ungodly hour, and the mother is weeping deep down in her heart, and no help on sight.
Somaliland government donated $100,000 for a mosque in London. Is that fair to that starving kid in Hargeisa and elsewhere in in the Republic of Somaliland? It is very spooky and nerve-racking to hear stories about the kids whose abode is the dry creek that runs through Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. They all have disheveled hair, and medical disorders and addicted to gas they siphon, stealing from the tanks of the cars they wash on the streets. That is apathetic, and very disturbing!!! They say the “Oday’s” junior high was kind of tough, but that doesn’t give him the right to treat people like horseshit earning him the call sign, “The big padlock.”
Strangely enough, the political shows in Somaliland go poorly but every four years the host comes out and peps the audience giving dissertations of war and life. This country is beautiful, but everything is caked with blood. Most people cannot see it, says the host, unless they have special eyes.
“Children were butchered, women were raped, and tortured, men were stripped down, burned their clothes and marched down the river, tied them together and buried them alive.” He adds. However, his motto is, “The wolves rule, not the sheep.” I don’t think there is anyone of us who can shoot the wings off the flies because we are all experiencing a panic attack.
About The Author:
Mohamed Shiine
Minneapolis, Minnesota
USA
Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author/authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Somaliland Intellectuals Institute (SII), its partners, or sponsors. SII is a non-partisan organization that seeks to publish well-argued, policy-oriented articles on Somaliland foreign policy and nation's priorities in education, healthcare, economy, energy, and infrastructure.